New poll shows majority of Californians favor marriage equality

The new Los Angeles Times/USC poll reflects similar numbers produced in a poll this spring by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

In the new poll of a statistical sampling of registered voters, 52 percent said that “same-sex couples should be allowed to become legally married in the state of California,” while 40 percent disagreed.

The PPIC poll, which was released March 25, found that respondents backed gay marriage 50 percent to 45 percent.

In November, a Times/USC poll found a 51 percent to 43 percent split on the issue. That 8 percent gap has widened to 12 percent in the new poll, indicating that respondents are becoming more supportive of marriage equality.

The new poll shows the political divide, with Democrats largely favoring marriage equality and Republicans against it. There also was a generational divide with younger voters in favor and older voters against it.